SETTING UP TEACHERS WITH FIREFOX



SETTING THE STAGE

Session Overview

In this session, participants will be able to setup teachers with Firefox on their MAC laptops and instruct them on how to use the tab feature.

Focusing Questions

How can I find Firefox on the teachers’ laptops and set it up for them to be able to use it?
How can teachers utilize the tabs feature in Firefox to simplify web browsing?
Why might teachers want to use Firefox instead of Safari?

Materials

The following materials are used in this session:
-Laptops
-Projector
-Firefox Application
-Smartboard

Resources

The following resources are used in this session: Internet connection, laptop computer, and smartboard.

INSTRUCTION

Framing the Session

Give participants an introduction and purpose/reason why you are teaching this session:
Many times teachers may need to use a different browser for the internet. Apple Safari is not compatible with all the webpages on the internet and it could limit the ability of the teacher to show webpages and do research. All the iTiL laptops come loaded with Firefox. Unfortunately, they are not automatically setup for teachers to use. Today, we want to learn how we can setup Firefox for the teachers and help them to use it successfully in the classroom.

Teaching

Watch me as I show you how to do the following:
I am going to show you how to find Firefox on the laptop computer. After we find it, we will place it on the main menu at the bottom of the screen. Next, we will load Firefox and set it up on the correct proxy. Once it is setup on the correct proxy, we will be able to actually use the browser.

I will show you tabbed browsing. Tabbed browsing is a great way to organize your pages while you work.

Guided Practice

Now that you understand the ideas, keep this is mind. Firefox is usually runs faster than Safari. In addition, more website will load correctly with Firefox instead of Safari. Although Safari is a great browser, we want to offer teachers an alternative in order for them to be able to get the most out of their laptops.


WORK TIME

Getting Started

During this time, you will setup Firefox for the teachers and show them how to use the tabs feature.

“Take the next 30 minutes to complete the following steps and then we will come back together and share.”

Participant Activity

Participants will follow the steps below.

Step 1- Go to the Mac HD
Step 2- Go to Application – Firefox
Step 3-Drag Firefox icon to the bottom menu
Step 4- Click to launch Firefox
Step 5- Top Menu –Firefox—Preferences
Step 6- Click connection settings
Step 7- Click Automatic Proxy Configuration URL:
Step 8- Enter the following URL http://proxy.nycboe.org/proxy.pac</span>
Step 9- Click Ok

To add tabs

Step 1- File- New tab
Step 2- Type Web address
Step 3- Show how you can click on tabs and move back and forth
Step 4- Hold down the mouse button while arrow cursor is on a tab.
Step 5- Notice a menu comes up and you can close the tab.

Facilitator Conferring

Circulate around the room and make sure each student know how to find Firefox and setup the proxy URL. Be sure to write the URL on the smart board for everyone to see.
Take note of a student who performs the task exceptionally well.

Share

Have one student explain the process to the class. Ask the student, how did you do it? What tips do you have for the rest of the class to make the task as simple as possible?


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Author: Joseph Pascarelli
Email: jpascarelli@schools.nyc.gov
School/Employer: M.S. 118
Title: Technology Coach/Coordinator